Dear Ches-Mont League, They’re back!

Indians sophomore goalie Josh Sedar is starting to establish himself as one of the league's top net minders.

ASTON—For any team that achieves greatness, there is always that one point in a season or franchise history, that down the road can be pointed to as that one “Ah ha moment”, the one play or one move that takes a team’s performance to the next level.

That being said, the Indians are giving teams in the Ches-Mont league reason to sit up and take notice as, Unionville is quickly racking up some “Ah ha moments” of their own.

Following a 4-3 win over Salesianum which ignited their current three game unbeaten streak, which is not pleasant news for the rest of league, the Indians are looking more and more like the team that played for the Flyer’s Cup last season.

Downingtown East became the latest victim on Friday night when the upstart Indians not only snagged an early 2-1 lead, but tied the game with 20 seconds left in regulation, after allowing the Cougars to take a 3-2 lead with a minute left to play.

After taking their lumps early on, coach Bill Hammond‘s young squad is quickly out performing what was thought to be a learning curve season, by playing with character and poise reminiscent of last years senior latent team.

“Two weeks ago we would have hung our heads after that goal with a minute left,” said Hammond. “These kids have worked very hard and are really starting to get it. “I am so proud of the effort tonight on both ends of the ice, they are having fun and that is translating into goals.”

Unionville (2-6-1) jumped on Downingtown early as three minutes into the contest, freshman Matt Kowash got his first varsity goal, then quickly notched his second four minutes later to post Unionville to a 2-0 first period lead.

“It was awesome to get my first goal,” said Kowash. “I just want to work every time I am on the ice to show that I deserve to be there. The seniors and coaches have been incredible, they really encourage the younger guys to keep working and give us 100 percent support. This was a huge game for us as a team.”

After trailing 2-1 heading into the final period, the Cougars (5-2-3), who currently sit one point out of first place in the brutal Ches-Mont league National division regrouped and scored two third period goals, the later coming with 3:02 remaining in the game as a three on two break forced net minder Josh Sedar into having to decide whether top come out of the net to cut down the angle or hold his ground for the trailers.

East leading scorer and sniper Josh Collins, who ironically wears the number 99 on his sweater, ripped a shot from the right point, which in true Gretzky fashion, hit just inside the far post and found its way into the net behind Sedar.

“There wasn’t much I could do there,” said Sedar. “I have to make sure I stayed in position on a 3-on 2, but I thought I have that post covered, but he made a great play.”

As time was winding down, Unionville senior Kevin LaDow (2 goals, assist), who assisted on Kowash’s opening tally, used his six-foot-three frame to reek havoc in front of the Cougars net batting the puck out of the air and past goal tender Chris Heckman knotting the game of off a shot by Nate Carlino.

“I have never had a goal like that before,” said Ledow. “I saw it coming toward the net and just tried to get my stick on it. This was such a huge game for us, we are really starting to feel some confidence and believe in ourselves. Josh did a great job in net tonight and deserved for us to get at least a tie.”

Unionville sophomore Nick Ward's physical style is reaping benefits on both end of the ice.

Sophomore Josh Sedar (.799 save percentage, 5.71 GAA) stopped 21 of 24 Cougar shots, as East was 1-for 6 on the power- play largely due to Sedar’s heroics shutting down the Cougars number one line, which has torched opponents for 17 power-play goals thus far.

“Josh is playing great,” added Hammond. “We have had a goal tending coach working with him and to see how far he has come already is unbelievable, He is playing solid positional hockey and communicating well with his defense.”

The Indians latest surge is in direct correlation to the effort being put forth by forwards like Drew Clark, who may not have made the scoring sheet, but was a presence all night as he back checked and was relentless on both ends of the ice. Sophomore Nick Ward along junior Andrew Knight and senior Connor Wilm made the Cougars pay the price as they refused to be out played physically by East.